Spring is here and fresh green grass is sprouting. Flower buds are beginning to pop and birds are singing. The last month of winter has felt like I'm on the planet Hoth and I’ve been cooped up inside! In comparison to the iciness, these early days of spring are welcomed. I fancy taking evening walks; the feel of the warm breeze. The sky is very lovely on the bare cornfields in the midwest. Warm sunset tones of blue, purple, pink and orange remind me of two binary suns with which we are all familiar. Join me as we set off through the deserts of Tatooine.
Let's prepare for our adventures. First, Tatooine is a dry desert planet located in the Outer Rim. Second, due to the sweltering weather, sand and dust, it is important to wear rough-spun tunics. The cloth assists in protecting our skin from the elements. Third, mechanical vehicles can be damaged on Tatooine as a result of the heat, dust and sand. Our travels today include several options of beasts of burden, such as Eopies. Known to be stubborn, Eopies are rugged mammal herbivores. They have broad feet that are good for traveling in the sand. Their pigmentation is white and they have a flexible snout. Next are Dewbacks. Dewbacks are reptilian lizards with green scaly skin and thick hides. Their tails are short, and they have lengthy rounded heads and clawed feet. Finally, my personal pick for this journey through the Tatooine desert is a Bantha. Banthas are massive mammals with brown or black shaggy furs and long tails. Banthas have a pair of coiled horns, an extensive wide mouth and vivid, curious eyes. Three fascinating beasts that can trek through the sands as we see some sights of Tatooine and adventure to our ultimate destination: the Lars/Skywalker Homestead. Hop on and let's go.
As we trot along the dusty desert, keep your eyes peeled for Jawas. Jawas are very eager scavengers and are native to Tatoonie. Jawas are small in stature, wear long heavy robes and have various eye colors like red, yellow or orange. Oh wow! I spy a Jawa now with a massive crowd up ahead! Looking through my macrobinoculars, I see a podrace near what was once Jabba's Palace. It is rumored that Boba Fett and Fennec Shand took over the palace! It is quite the fortress of stone and metal, and it inhabits dungeons, a nine-story tower and battlements. Quite the scene with a podrace nearby. You might have heard about the legacy of Anakin Skywalker, who won his freedom podracing as a young child. Podracing is known to be a dangerous sport. In some parts of the Galaxy it is illegal to podrac,e but in the Outer Rim it is practiced. Podracing is being performed on a dusty sandy racetrack. The podracer fits 1 small person and hovers off the ground. They can reach high speeds. The crowds are cheering and chanting. Before the day gets away from us we must move on.
It is blisteringly hot! Our beasts of burden need a drink of water, so our next stop is at the Cantina in Freetown, once known as Mos Pelgo. A service droid tends to us. I'll order us glasses of Tatooine Suns. Pull up a chair. You need to hear a story about the Krayt Dragon. A Krayt Dragon is a carnivorous reptile that likes to burrow in abandoned sarlacc pits. Legend has it, there was once a Krayt Dragon with large wings! Krayt Dragons can produce Krayt venom and are known to eat beasts. It is very important as we travel to be observant of our surroundings as Krayt Dragons do inhabit Tatooine. The great Din Djarin along with Cobb Vanth and Tusken Raiders once slayed a Krayt dragon on the outskirts of Freetown. The Krayt Dragon had been attacking the village. The Tusken Raiders (also known as Sandpeople) made a promise to Cobb Vanth and Din Djarin they would not attack the village and keep peace if they assisted in exterminating the mighty Krayt Dragon. The original plan backfired! The Mandalorian, Din Djarin, didn't give up. After strapping some explosives to a Bantha, Din and the Bantha were swallowed whole by the Krayt Dragon! Din Djarin utilized his jetpack to escape the Krayt Dragon's month. They succeeded in killing the dragon and found a Krayt Dragon pearl in the belly of the dragon that excited the Tusken Raiders. As we continue our trek towards the Lars/Skywalker Homestead we might see Tusken Raiders riding Banthas in a single row. They have clans of 20-30 people, but ride single file to hide their numbers. They wear heavy cloaks, sandproof bindings, protective eye lenses and carry gaffi sticks. Don't be concerned. We'll keep our distance if we see the Tusken Raiders and show them peace.
The temperature in the desert of Tatooine has slightly cooled off. We see various Flora along our paths. Lovely funnel flowers, tubers that the Dewbacks want to graze on and fruits like pallie to eat. The desert skies are filled with fluffy white clouds. As we approach The Homestead, the hues of the sky are beginning to turn a mix of oranges, purples and pinks. Let's let the Bantha, Drewback and Eopies rest as we take a look around. I see a piece of scrap metal. Lets slide down the sand. The Homestead was once a moisture farm. It was home to Anakin’s mother Shmi, Cliegg Lars and his son, Owen. Owen grew up and married Beru. They took care of the homestead and raised Luke Skywalker there. It is amazing to be here. Let's mosey out back.
The skies have turned more shades of pink and orange. What you see is referred to as the Twin Suns and they are setting over the sand dunes. Tatooine orbits the two binary suns, Tatoo I and Tatoo II. This is a moment you want to take everything in. Revel in the splendor of the beauty of the Twin Suns. Time to reflect on our journey. Feel the warmth of the suns upon your face.
As we wind down our adventure take this experience with you. The next time you take an evening walk and spot the sun setting, remember our travels to see the Twin Suns.
Below I'm including two recipes inspired by Tatoonie and its Twin Suns. One is family friendly and one that you can enjoy at any cantina. Enjoy and thank you for joining me.
Tatooine Sunset: Family Friendly Drink
1 cherry
8 ounce pineapple juice
2 Tablespoons Rose’s Grenadine, more can be added for additional sweetness
Drop 1 cherry into a glass. Pour pineapple juice into the glass. Then gradually add Rose's grenadine. The two liquids will separate creating the gorgeous shades of the sunsets on Tatooine.
Twin Suns Mimosa: A Twist on the Classic
2 cherries
2 ½ ounce champagne
2 ½ ounce orange juice
2 Tablespoons Rose’s Grenadine
In a champagne flute gently drop 2 cherries to the bottom. Slowly add the champagne followed by the orange juice. Rounding off the Twin Suns Mimosa with Rose's grenadine to create the beautiful hues of the sunset.
